The Supreme Court directed the Delhi Police on Tuesday to furnish the medical report of Prabir Purkayastha, the founder of NewsClick, who is presently held in Tihar jail under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), an anti-terrorism law.
A bench of Justices B R Gavai and Sandeep Mehta directed Additional Solicitor General S V Raju to submit the report from the jail’s medical officer within a week.
This decision followed senior advocate Kapil Sibal’s submission, representing Purkayastha, stating his client’s poor medical condition and requesting the court to seek a report from the jail authorities. Sibal emphasized the urgency due to Purkayastha’s age, 74, and his deteriorating health. However, ASG Raju opposed the request, suggesting a report from AIIMS instead.
The Apex Court expressed dissatisfaction with Raju’s objection, remarking on the surprising lack of trust in their own officer and implying administrative incompetence.
The ASG clarified that he did not question any specific officer. The court instructed the ASG to submit the report within a week and adjourned the hearing until February 27. NewsClick’s human resources head, Amit Chakravarty, withdrew his petition against his arrest under UAPA, indicating a significant development. Earlier this month, a Delhi court granted Chakravarty permission to become an approver in the UAPA case against the news portal.
The Delhi High Court had previously dismissed their appeals against arrest and police remand, with both individuals apprehended by the Delhi Police’s Special Cell on October 3. The FIR alleged substantial funds from China to the news portal aimed at disrupting India’s sovereignty and inciting disaffection. It also accused Purkayastha of conspiring with the People’s Alliance for Democracy and Secularism (PADS) to undermine the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.